Submersible multi-stage diffuser type pump



Nov. 11, 1969 E. A. HLINKA SUBMEHSIBLE MULTI-STAGE DIFFUSER TYPE PU 2Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1968 FIG 1 INVENTOR EDWARD A. HLINKAATTORNEY Nov. 11,1969 E A. HLINKA SUBMERSIBLE MULTI-ST-AGE DIFFUSER TYPEPUMP Filed Jan. 4. 1968 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 RA OK mm L WH A D M w D E F/a4v ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 103-402 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A submersible multi-stage type pump wherein the stagesthemselves and the members making up the stages are fitted togetherthrough and complementary shaped flange arrangement. Continuous crushrings formed on the surface of the grooves serve to seal the stagesagainst pressure leakage.

The present invention relates to fluid pumps and more particularly tosubmersible pumps of the multi-stage, diffuser type.

A problem common to multi-stage, diffuser type pumps which are used insubmerged pumping operations is that of sealing against water pressurearound the periphery of each stage in the areas where the stages cometogether. In operation, pumps of the diffuser type build up pressureinternally and thus it is essential that an adequate pressure seal beeffected so that pressure is not lost.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide asubmersible, multi-stage centrifugal pump in which an effective pressureseal is achieved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pump of thetype described wherein the component parts of the individual stages arerelatively few in number and of relatively simple construction.

In accordance with the invention these and other objects notspecifically enumerated are achieved through the provision of amulti-stage centrifugal pump wherein the joining of the stages iseffected through interfitting of complementary surfaces of thecomponents. Supplemental sealing means on the surface of at least one ofthe components insure a pressure tight fit. In accordance with apresently preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing meanscomprise crush rings which extend continuously around at least onesurface defining an annular groove or recess in one of the components.The crush rings protrude into the recess and are contacted when acomplementary flange formed on another component is received into therecess, thereby providing a pressure seal. As the pressure head in thepump is built up the crush rings are brought more firmly into contactwith the flange. Greater elastic deformation of the rings takes placeunder these circumstances and thus the efficacy of the seal provided bythe rings increases with increased pressure.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following description of thedrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of two stages of a supbmersible pumpconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1showing the upper surface of a diffuser member.

FIGURE 3 is one-half of a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3of FIGURE 1 (with the shaft and impeller omitted) showing the lowersurface of a diffuser member.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIGURE 1(with the shaft and impeller omitted) showing the upper surface of aspacer member.

FIGURE 5 is one-half of sectional view taken generally along the line5-5 of FIGURE 1 (with the shaft and impeller omitted) showing the lowersurface of a spacer member.

FIGURE 6 is one-half of a sectional view taken generally along 6-6 ofFIGURE 1 showing the impeller member.

FIGURE 7 is a detail of a portion of a diffuser member showing a pair ofcrush rings.

FIGURE 1 shows two stages denoted A and A of a diffuser-type submersiblepump assembly, generally indicated by reference P, in accordance with apresently preferred embodiment of the invention. The number of stagesutilized will depend on the pressure requirements of a particularoperation. For example, as many as 32 stages or more may be required ina conventional application. The overall operation of a diffuser-typepump is well known in the art and will be described here only verybriefly for the sake of completeness. Such pumps include a prime mover(not shown) which drives a pump such as shaft 10, and inlet means (notshown) for passing water into the lower section of the pump assembly.The pump may further include a valve (not shown) located at the deliveryend of the pump for controlling the delivery of water under pressureafter the water has passed through the stages of the pump assembly P.The construction and operation of the individual stages will be setforth in detail hereinbelow.

Each stage of the pump assembly P comprises a diffuser member denoted D,a spacer member denoted S and an impeller member denoted I, each ofwhich is preferably constructed of a suitable thermoplastic. Theindividual members are substantially identical for each stage andcorresponding elements in stage A are given the same numbers primed asthe elements of stage A.

The spacer members which are best seen in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5 generallycomprise a flat annular disc 12 including a circular central opening 14,and an annular rim 16. Rim 16 includes a pair of outer, upstandingflange members 18 and 20 which extend perpendicularly outward inopposite directions from the surface of disc member 12. Rim 16 includesa plurality of recesses 22 formed in the upper surface thereof. Recesses22 are of generally triangular configuration and are equally spacedaround rim 16 as shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the lower surface of disc 12 includes a pluralityof equally spaced upright members 24 which together with flange 18 forma discontinuous recess or groove 25 around circumference of disc 12. Ascan best be seen in FIGURE 1 members 24 include, in cross section, acurved portion and a straight-line portion, the straight-line portionfacing lower flange 18. The function of the curved portion of members 24will be discussed hereinafter.

A pair of concentric annulus members 26 and 28 are provided on the uppersurface of disc 12 around the periphery of central opening 14. Annulusmembers 26 and 28 form a circular groove 30 concentric with centralopening 14.

The construction of the individual impeller members I and I can best beseen in FIGURES l and 6. The impellers are of the enclosed type,impeller I having upper and lower shrouds 32 and 34, respectively. Anenlarged eye 36 is provided in lower shroud 34 and a relatively shortperipheral skirt member 38 depends down from the portion of lower shroud34 defining eye 36. A plurality of curved, radial vanes 40 disposedbetween and separating upper shroud 32 and lower shroud 34 definepassageways 42 (best seen in FIGURE 6) which serve to direct liquidoutwardly from eye 36. An elongated hub member 44, formed integrallywith upper shroud 32, is located at the center of impeller I. Hub 44includes internal splines 46 which serve to mount the impeller I on pumpshaft 10. Shaft causes rotation of impeller I so that liquid passingthrough the eye 36 is discharged, by means of centrifugal force, throughthe ends of passageways 42. The interfitting of the impeller I, thespacer S and the diffuser member D with each other and with the elementsof a preceding or subsequent stage will be described in detailhereinbelow.

The construction of the diffuser member D can best be seen in FIGURES l,2 and 3. The diffuser D is generally of disc-like construction andincludes an inner disc member 48 having a central opening 50 whichreceives the upper portion of hub member 44 of impeller I. An upstandingperipheral flange member 51 formed on the upper surface of disc 48surrounds the end portion of hub 44. Diffuser D further includesperipheral wall arrangement '52. Wall arrangement 52 includes an outerwall member 54, which forms the outer wall of the pump assembly, and acircumferential flange member 56 located inwardly of said outer wall 54.

Longitudinal flange members 57 which extend perpendicularly outwardly ofouter wall 54 interfit with similar flanges on like diffuser members toprovide interlocking of the stages. As is shown in FIGURE 1 longitudinalflanges 57 include peripherally spaced tab members 59 located at thelower end thereof which extend beyond the lower surface of the diffusermember D. Tabs 59 fit closely into recesses or notches 61' formed in theupper end of the flanges 57' of the next stage A. Tabs 59 are generallytriangular in cross section (see FIGURE 3) with the inner surfacesthereof contacting the complementary shaped surfaces of notches 61'(FIGURE 2 illustrates the shape of corresponding notches 61 of diffuserD).

Outer wall 54 and flange 56 define upper and lower peripheral recessesor grooves 58 and 60, respectively. A detail of a lower groove 60 isshown in FIGURE 7. The nature of the grooves 58 and 60 will be discussedin some detail hereinbelow. A plurality of ducts 62 are spaced aroundthe inner face of flange 56 and form passages communicating at the lowerend thereof with the outputs of passageways 42 of the impellers I andextending curvedly upward to the upper surface of disc member 48. As canbest be seen in FIGURE 2 the upper surface of disc member 48 is providedwith a plurality of curved, radially extending vanes 64 whichcommunicate with the outlet portions of ducts 62. Vanes 64 formpassageways 66 which lead into central portions of the diffuser D. Thecurved surface of the peripheral flange 51 aids in providing smoothtravel of the liquid up to the eye corresponding to eye 36 of the nextimpeller stage. The ducts 62 are of decreasingly narrow radialcross-section progressing from their lower openings as is evidenced inFIGURE 3 by the generally triangular shape of the lower portions 62a ofducts 62. Portions 62a are flat and with the stages assembled arepositioned opposite and abut with the similarly shaped recesses 22 ofrim 16 of spacer member S.

Continuing with the interfitting of parts of the three memberscomprising each stage, as can best be seen in FIGURE 1, impeller I isgenerally supported by a corresponding spacer S. The lower shroud 34 ofimpeller I rests on the raised annulus members 26 and 28 provided on theupper surface of spacer S with the downwardly depending skirt member 38disposed Within central opening 14. The lower edge of hub 44 lies flushwith the lower edge of skirt 38 while the upper portion of hub 44 isreceived in the central opening 50 in diffuser member D as describedhereinbefore. The lower edge of hub 44 contacts the upper edge of thehub 44' of the next stage A (see FIGURE 1). From the foregoing it can beseen that impeller I is situated within a hollow bounded by the uppersurface of spacer S and the lower surface of diffuser member D and theoutput ends of the radial passageways 42 communicate with the lowerinlet portions of ducts 62.

The spacer member S and diffuser D are fitted together 4 through theinterfitting of complementary shaped surfaces on the two members.Referring to FIGURE 1, outer flange 20 of spacer S fits into the lowerperipheral groove 60 formed by wall 54 and flange 56 of diffuser D.Flange 20 is of such a length that the upper edge surface thereofcontacts the inner surface 6% (see FIGURE 7) of recess 60 and of such awidth that the opposite faces thereof contact the corresponding surfaces60b and 60a, respectively, of recess 60. The lower flange 18 of spacer Isimilarly fits into the upper groove 58 formed by flange 56' and outerwall 54 of diffuser D of the adjacent stage. The length of the portionsof the outer Wall 54 immediately outward of the rim 16 of spacer S issuch that the lower edge of wall 54 of diffuser D of stage A contactsthe upper edge of outer wall 54 of the stage A as seen in FIGURE 1.

A further interfitting of complementary surfaces takes place betweenflange 56' of diffuser D of the next stage A and the discontinuousgroove 25 formed by flange 18 and the plurality of upright members 24 ofspacer S. The curvature and the extent of the curved portion of uprightmembers 24 is such as to complement and complete the passages formed byducts 62 of diffuser member D in the area of the communication of thosepassages with the passageways (corresponding to passageways 66) formedby the vanes (corresponding to vanes 64) located on the upper surface ofdiffuser disc 48'.

Referring to FIGURE 7, a pair of crush rings 65a and 65b are shownformed on surfaces 60a and 60b, respectively, of groove 60. The crushrings 65a, 65b comprise continuous annular protuberences which projectinto the recess and which extend entirely around the correspondingsurfaces 60a, 60b of the recess 60. Similar rings are' provided on theinner surfaces of groove 58 one of which, crush ring 63a, may be seen inFIGURE 2. As can best be seen in FIGURES 2 and 7 the crush rings arecircular in configuration and triangular in cross-section and, asstated, extend around the entire groove circumference. Whencorresponding flange 20 is fitted into recess 60 as set forth above,crush rings 65a, 65b are contacted and elastically deformed to a limitedextent so that pressurized fit between the spacer member S and diffusermember D is achieved. Referring to FIGURE 1 it can be seen that pressurelosses through leakage must take place through a path formed between theinterfitting surfaces of the spacer S and diffuser D and between themating outer walls of two diffusers D and D. Therefore, by providingcrush rings 65a, 65b as described hereinbefore, the leakage path betweenthe diffuser D and the spacer S is destroyed and an effective seal isprovided. As flange 20 is fitted more firmly into recess 60 as where thepressure head of the pump is built up, better contact between flange 20and crush rings 65a, 65b is effected together with greater elasticdeformation of the rings and thus the efliciency of the continuous sealsformed along the lines of the two rings is improved. The presentinvention therefore provides the maximum sealing effect undercircumstances where such maximum sealing is required, namely, when thepressure built up in the stages of the pump assembly is the greatest. Ofcourse, arrangements of the crush rings other than that shown anddescribed are possible. For example, only a single ring might be usedand such a ring might be located in a projecting flange rather that in arecess as shown.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides apump assembly wherein the stages are made up of relatively few parts andwherein a simple yet extremely effective interfitting between the partsmaking up the stages as well as between the stages themselves isachieved. Close interfitting between diffuser members is achievedthrough the tab and notch arrangement on the outer flanges and theabutment of the outer walls while interfitting between the spacers anddiffusers is achieved through the arrangement of the spacer flanges andthe diffuser grooves and to a lesser extent through the arrangement ofthe discontinuous groove-forming upright members of the spacers and theinner flanges of the diffusers. The continuous crush rings formed oncertain of the elements as described provide a pressure seal between thestages.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiment ofthe invention shown and described herein is subject to various othermodifications Without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited by the exemplary embodiment shown and described but ratheronly by the subjoined claims as construed in light of the foregoingspecification and drawings.

Having thus described my invention in accordance with the patentstatutes, I claim:

1. A submersible pump comprising a plurality of diffuser stages arrangedin a stacked relationship, said diffuser stages each comprising aplurality of component members, said plurality of component memberscomprising an impeller member, a first member comprising a diffusermember having curved duct means formed thereon and a surface contourcomprising a circular outer rim having first and second annular groovestherein, and a second member comprising a disc-shaped spacer memberhaving a surface contour comprising first and secondoppositely-extending outer flange members complementary to andinterfitting with said surface contour of said first member, said firstgroove receiving said first flange member and said second groovereceiving a flange member of a spacer member of the stage adjacentthereto, and said second flange fitting into a groove formed in adiffuser member of the stage adjacent thereto, said first member furthercomprising sealing means located on said surface contour for contactingsaid complementary surface contour to effect a pressure seal betweensaid first and second members, said sealing means comprising a firstcontinuous ring member formed on one surface of each of said first andsecond grooves and extending along said one surface for the entiredistance said surface contour and said complementary surface contour arein contact.

2. A submersible pump in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spacermember includes means formed on one surface thereof for completing thecurvature of the ducts formed in a diffuser member of an adjacent stageand for forming, together with one of said flange members of said spacermember, a discontinuous groove for receiving a flange member formed onthe diffuser member of said adjacent stage.

3. A submersible pump in accordance with claim 2 wherein said impellermember includes a shroud means and hub means, said shroud means restingon one surface of said spacer member and said hub means extendingthrough a central opening in said diffuser member.

4. A submersible pump in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealingmeans further comprises a second continuous ring member formed on asecond surface of each of said first and second grooves and extendingalong said second surface for the entire distance said surface contourand said complementary surface contour are in contact.

5. A submersible pump in accordance with claim 1 wherein said firstcomponent member includes additional means formed on the outer surfacethereof for interfitting with a like component member of the next stage.

6. A submersible pump in accordance with claim 5 wherein said additionalmeans comprises an outwardly extending longitudinal flange including atleast one tab member located at one end thereof and extending beyond theadjacent transverse surface of said first component member and a notchmeans formed in said flange at the other end thereof, said tab memberfitting in a corresponding notch means formed in a like component memberof the stage adjacent thereto and said notch means receiving acorresponding tab member of a like component member of the stageadjacent thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 963,539 7/1910 Forward 1031081,817,776 8/ 1931 Sipe 277-208 3,116,696 l/ 1964 Deters l03-l083,158,295 11/1964 McConaghy 103-108 HENRY F. RADUAZO, Primary ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R. 103108, 111

